Epi pens

Many people require an epic pen on-hand, life-long.

Some of us, particularly those of us doing IV abx, need one on-hand during treatment.

I've been told no matter how long you're on a med, you can still have an anaphylactic reaction.

My pen is a month expired, asked my home health care to replace it. After doing that every year for the past 3 yrs, they're now telling me I don't need one since I started the abx awhile ago. I'm not sure if this is an ill-informed person who places my Rx orders, or if their policy has changed. With the shortage going on right now, I might not be considered high priority and they may just not provide me one—will wait and see how my conversation w/ them evolves.

But I just wanted to query the group:

- what is your understanding about the need for an epi pen (not for the obvious high-risk people but for those of us on a med)

- have you bought recently from a good source? cost?

- have you ever used the poor man's epi pen (literally, a ramekin of benedryl you peel the top off and drink, and a vial of the epinephrine and a couple syringes for the shot or two that you have to give yourself. One of my nurses told me that this is what they're giving the patients now with the pen shortage)… good Lord - can you imagine reading the directions and assembling an epi shot in the middle of an attack?

-p

"good Lord - can you imagine reading the directions and assembling an epi shot in the middle of an attack?"

That's just ridiculous isn't it? Some people get such a bad reaction that they CAN'T help themselves.

Thankfully, mine isn't on the recall list. One of my nurses suggested that the pen is probably still good for a few more months anyway. She's highly allergic to bee/wasp stings and once used a pen that was a year expired. It wasn't detrimental to her, just weak-acting but kept her alive long enough to get help.

Instead of distributing two pens, they started splitting up the package. And then they started distributing the syringe and vial. And now with the recall, there are people in real peril. When someone gets sued… things will probably change again.

That is my fear MooseGirl. I am so glad everything went OK for you. One of my nurses also shared that she knows nurses would have problems assembling. Some have had problems with the pen - panic takes over. But I have a problem with MANY expectations placed on sick patients. Our healthcare system is an absolute DISASTER.

I had a conversation about what different reactions to meds mean with 2-3 different nurses. I was curious about my varied reactions to the Rocephin. When infused too quickly, I would get itchy eyes and feel agitated. When slowed down, nothing. I had a moderate anaphylactic reaction to Levofloxacin (fluroquinalone) which I caught early enough and it didn't get too bad but my throat was closing up, I was disoriented, panicking. And then there are reactions that some of us have because of the killing effect of abx and toxin release, etc.

Another reason I asked is because after taking the first couple of doses of Diflucan years ago, I nearly fainted. I knew nothing about everything at the time and didn't even tell anyone, not realizing it was a warning and that some meds cause Long QT issues, etc. And I continued to take the Diflucan for almost a year with no other issues at all. In retrospect, what I think happened was die off that just overpowered my body. It was a necessary evil but effective. No regular MD would agree to that, however, because they are generally ignorant about yeast issues.

So I asked how one determines what is a sensitivity to med volume or the impact of he meds vs. a dangerous, life-threatening, must stop med now kind of reaction. I stump them every time. They don't know and will generally stop a med if there is any question.

Anyway, I got more gobbelty-gook excuses from the person who places my Rs orders about why she's telling me an entirely different story about not renewing my pen than anyone else there in the past 3 years...but she finally agreed to replace it "because I prefer it". Yes, I prefer to not die - at least not for this avoidable issue. And my MD placed a fricking order for it, which she expects to be filled. This is not a complicated issue, really. Not my first issue with this person.

And, yes, I do feel rather guilty for taking a pen that maybe someone else needs more than I do. But I don't know what to do about that.

-p

Aww - thanks T. You're sweet. ;)

-p

Funny - that would probably work!

Yes, it was some scandal. The pen is not a complicated design and there are other ways to design delivery. I think there have been other cheap pen copies so hopefully, something will grow roots.

-p